I grew up in a family immersed in the Catskill Mountain real estate and construction world. As a kid and in the days before lockboxes, I would tag along with my father, the local building inspector and collect keys from realtors throughout the Catskills. I would then begrudgingly ride along while he inspected the houses. I didn't know then that it would spark a lifelong passion for real estate.

At 16, I purchased my first house for a flip, marki...